Student handbook
Download the 192 Castle College Student Handbook (PDF)
At a glance
192 Castle is a 'boutique' College. It is the smallest Residential College on campus and the only college with an ensuite bathroom in each of its 125 student bedrooms. The vast majority of bedrooms include a queen bed, kitchen sink and under-bench fridge, while the remaining 9 rooms have a king-single bed. These 9 rooms are located in the female-only wing of the college, and have a central living and study area.
Moving to Dunedin to begin your University study at Otago can be both exciting and slightly daunting as you choose your new home. Otago has wonderful Residential Colleges and 192 Castle, one of the newest, will provide you with a great place to live, allowing you to get on with your study while at the same time have fun and enjoy yourself. The small size of our college provides an environment in which it is easy to build new friendships, while our robust academic support system will assist you in meeting your academic goals.
You will make friends for life during your time with us. Your Warden and Deputy Warden both have extensive experience in running a residential College, and know what your needs will be. We believe we have the right 'recipe' for you to achieve the necessary balance between academic study, social life and relaxation in a community where you will be well cared for, and where our facilities and academic programme will enable you to excel in your chosen academic field.
Whilst we don't have many rules at 192 Castle, our philosophy is simple, in that we expect all residents to respect everyone's right to be able to live in the College without undue interruption to their study. Mutual respect is what 192 Castle College is all about.
Academic life at 192 Castle
192 Castle will help to guide you through the transition from your school life into tertiary study at the University. The academic support programme will assist you in developing intellectual and personal independence. Learning labs are held nightly in the College in most of the main subject areas. These are taken by senior or postgraduate students who are trained tutors leading interactive sessions to help you with specific aspects of your work, or problems you may encounter.
We have:
- A lovely new study centre with state of the art AV equipment
- Tutors with subject expertise
- Subwardens who are also successful students
- Group learning labs
- One-on-one help when necessary
- Extra study sessions near exam time
The Senior staff are also here to help you and can liaise with many academic and general staff on your behalf, to sort out any problems or queries you may have. It's all part of the package!
All work and no play, makes…
Yes, you have to work hard, but it is equally important to relax and have fun, too. We have a very large and comfortable recreation area, with pool table, full sized snooker table, table tennis, foosball, air hockey and assorted exercise equipment. There is a spacious common room on the top floor, with SKY TV, upright piano, and a large outdoor deck with views over the centre and northern part of the city. On the first floor there is also a theatre equipped with DVD/blu-ray player and connections for your laptops to watch your own choices on the big screen.
Your student committee arranges a variety of activities throughout the year; sports competitions are held with other Colleges, there is the annual Ball, Ski trip, and various other inter-floor/college activities.
And of course, just 10 minutes' walk away is UNIPOL, the University's amazing new three storeyed gymnasium complex, attached to the Forsyth Barr Stadium, and available to all University students free of charge. This is undoubtedly the finest gym complex in New Zealand, with great facilities and fitness programmes available for Otago students.
In the heart of it
The College is on the periphery of the University campus, a mere five minutes' walk to the University library, Students' Union buildings and main lecture theatres, and about four minutes' walk in the opposite direction to the very heart of the city shopping centre. Across the road is a huge supermarket to cater for those late night hunger pangs!
Try our food...
Our food is prepared by the College catering division of the University Union, who are responsible for catering in most of the University-owned Colleges. A wide variety of wholesome and nutritious meals is supplied – 21 meals per week with plenty of bread, spreads and tasty baking!
You can prepare your own lunches at breakfast if you can't get back at lunchtime, and if you have sports practices and/or evening labs, then you can order a late dinner which will be waiting for you in the fridge upon your return to the College. There is an eight week meal cycle for dinner which ensures plenty of variety.
The College also caters for a number of different dietary requirements upon consultation with our Head Chef.
Commitment to sustainability
192 Castle College is committed to supporting sustainability. We aim to make sustainable choices wherever possible, and to ensure we reduce, recycle and reuse!
192 Castle is pleased to be participating in the University's Green Impact programme, and hopes that new residents will embrace the opportunity to make a difference.